Extracellular Matrix News Volume 3.44 | Nov 8 2012

Tissue Transglutaminase Colocalizes with Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Researchers suggest that tissue transglutaminase and its activity might play a differential role in the development and progression of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, possibly evolving from direct modulation of Aβ aggregation to cross-linking of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins resulting in ECM restructuring. [Neurobiol Aging] Abstract

RSK2 Suppresses Integrin Activation and Fibronectin Matrix Assembly and Promotes Cell Migration
Modulation of integrin activation is important in many cellular functions including adhesion, migration, and assembly of the extracellular matrix. RSK2 functions downstream of Ras/Raf and promotes tumor cell motility and metastasis. Therefore, the authors investigated whether RSK2 affects integrin function. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

Influence of Cyclic Mechanical Stretch and Tissue Constraints on Cellular and Collagen Alignment in Fibroblast-Derived Cell Sheets
Understanding how mechanical forces influence the alignment of the extracellular matrix is important in tissue-engineering, where recapitulating the alignment of the native tissue is essential for appropriate mechanical anisotropy. In this work, a novel method was developed to create tubular cell sheets by seeding neonatal dermal fibroblasts onto a rotating silicone tube. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract

Corneal Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans and Their Effects on Trigeminal Nerve Growth Cone Behavior In Vitro – Roles for ECM in Cornea Innervation
Sensory trigeminal nerve growth cones innervate the cornea in a highly coordinated fashion. Researchers aimed to determine if extracellular matrix (ECM) glycosaminoglycans, including keratan sulfate, dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate-A and -C, polymerized in developing eyefronts, may provide guidance cues to nerves during cornea innervation. [Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci] Abstract

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Gene Polymorphisms and Chronic Kidney Disease
Researchers explored the associations between the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and polymorphisms in the genes encoding matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases. [Am J Nephrol] Abstract

Relationship between the Expression of the Extracellular Matrix Genes SPARC, SPP1, FN1, ITGA5 and ITGAV and Clinicopathological Parameters of Tumor Progression and Colorectal Cancer Dissemination
The authors concluded that extracellular matrix gene expression did not correlate with classical prognostic factors for colorectal carcinoma, but overexpression of the ITGAV gene and protein was correlated with an increased risk of perineural invasion. [Oncology] Abstract

EcmPred: Prediction of Extracellular Matrix Proteins Based on Random Forest with Maximum Relevance Minimum Redundancy Feature Selection
Malfunctions of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins lead to severe disorders such as marfan syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, numerous chondrodysplasias, and skin diseases. The authors report a random forest approach, EcmPred, for the prediction of ECM proteins from protein sequences. [J Theor Biol] Abstract

Anabolic Effects of Peniel 2000, a Peptide that Regulates TGF-Beta1 Signaling on Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
The authors investigated the mechanism for P2K-induced increases in extracellular matrix and in vitro and in vivo effects of the peptide on intervertebral discs. [Spine] Abstract

Biomarkers of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This review summarizes studies of known epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers in the context of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma  progression. The biomarkers discussed come from a wide range of proteins, including cell-surface proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Integrins), cytoskeletal proteins (α-Smooth Muscle Actin, Vimentin, and β-catenin), extracellular matrix proteins (Collagens, Fibronectin, and Laminin), and transcription factors (SNAIL1, SNAIL2, TWIST, and LEF-1). [J Dent Res] Abstract

Regulation and Use of the Extracellular Matrix by Trypanosoma cruzi during Early Infection
The mechanisms by which Trypanosoma cruzi regulates and uses the extracellular matrix (ECM) to invade cells and cause disease are just beginning to be understood. In this report, the authors critically review and discuss the regulation of the ECM interactome by T. cruzi, the use of the ECM by T. cruzi and analyze the molecular ECM/T. cruzi interphase during the early process of infection. [Front Immunol] Abstract

Healthpoint Biotherapeutics Introduces 5×7 Size Of OASIS^® Ultra Tri-Layer Matrix
Healthpoint Biotherapeutics announced the introduction of a 5 cm x 7 cm size of OASIS^® Ultra Tri-Layer Matrix, a naturally-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) material formed from three layers of porcine small intestinal submucosa. The three-layer construct of ECM was designed to provide increased structure for difficult-to-heal and chronic wounds. [Healthpoint Biotherapeutics] Press Release

Tengion Issued Notice of Allowance for U.S. Patent Application Covering Renal Regeneration for its Neo-Kidney Augment™ Product Candidate
Tengion, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. Patent Application No. 12/617,721, titled “Isolated Renal Cells and Uses Thereof.”  The application includes claims intended to protect important aspects of Tengion’s renal regenerative product candidate, the Neo-Kidney Augment™, for the treatment of advanced chronic kidney disease. [Tengion, Inc.] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)
 
European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW 17th Annual Hilton Head Workshop: Regenerative Medicine – Technologies Enabling Novel Therapies
March 20-23, 2013
Hilton Head Island, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the extracellular matrix community.

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Product Manager – Hematopoietic (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Postdoctoral Position – Drug Delivery, Nanotechnology, and Biomaterials (University of Michigan)

Postdoctoral Position – Matrix Biology (University of Washington)

Research Position – Biomaterials (NUI Galway Ireland)


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